42 THE NATURALIST'S GUIDE. 



scribed, then make a body, as before, and place a wire of 

 the proper size and length in the usual place for the neck, 

 and wind it with hemp to the natural size ; place the head, 

 wings, feet, and tail in the proper position; then, after 

 spreading glue upon the body, place each feather or piece 

 of skin carefully in its proper place, commencing at the 

 tail and working towards the head ; when this is finished, 

 bind the bird as usual. 



Birds that have been mounted require at least ten days 

 for the skin to dry before the thread is removed, which is 

 done by cutting down the back with scissors, after which 

 cut off all protruding wires, and unplait the tail-feathers 

 and smooth them. To elevate the crest of a bird, or any 

 other naturally elevated feathers, such as the elongated 

 feathers on the necks of some species of Grouse, etc., roll a 

 piece of cotton into a ball, and force a pin or piece of sharp- 

 ened wire through it (Plate VIII. Fig. 5, g). Place this wire 

 or pin in the bird in such a manner that the feathers to 

 be elevated may rest on the cotton in a natural position 

 (Fig. 5, b). After the skin becomes hardened the cotton 

 may be removed, and the feathers will retain the desired 

 position. 



